A new cross country race is coming to Jefferson City today, and the Jefferson City Convention & Visitors Bureau is expecting big numbers for the first of what they hope to be an annual race.
The Capital City Cross Country Challenge will be held at Oak Hills Golf Center today. Hosted on the same course as the Missouri High School State Cross Country Championships, the race is an opportunity for athletes to preview the course before competing in November.
Fifty-five teams from all over Missouri are traveling to Jefferson City for the first event, and more than 500 athletes are registered.
"We are really excited to bring this brand new sporting event to Jefferson City," said Chris Wilson, Convention & Visitors Bureau sports sales manager. "The Jefferson City Parks and Recreation has been incredibly instrumental in helping to secure this race, and we strongly believe there is a huge potential for future growth."
Negotiations with TRXC Timing LLC to create a new cross country event for Jefferson City began in early 2013. TRXC Timing, a group that specializes in race management and currently handles the timing for the Missouri State Track and Cross Country Championships, will facilitate the registration process and organization of the cross country meet. In addition to the team competition, which will begin at 10 a.m., there will also be a Community 5K beginning at 8:15 a.m.
Each November, the Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHSAA) holds the State Cross Country Championships at Oak Hills Golf Center and thousands of participants from across the state visit Jefferson City for the event. Race organizers believe the Capital City Cross Country Challenge has the potential to grow and match or possibly even exceed the numbers of the Cross Country Championships by attracting not only high school, but collegiate teams from neighboring states as well.
For more information on the Capital City Cross Country Challenge, go to www.trxctiming.com.